As a newly graduated teacher, Heather, took over the running of her local Guide unit in Peterhead, a role she expected to do for just a few months.

However she ended up staying with her Guide unit for 12 years before moving to Inverurie after she married.

She went onto become the County Commissioner for Girlguiding Gordon, leading guiding activity at a local level, before becoming County President.

She continues to play an active role with guiding as Vice President for her county and a member of the Trefoil Guild.

Throughout her time in guiding Heather has played an active role in offering girls and young women a wide range of opportunities from trips abroad to outdoor adventures.

Highlights include travelling to World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts’ Chalet in Switzerland ten times and taking a group of Guides to Greece for a 6-week international experience.

Heather said: “I’m extremely proud to receive this award. It was a huge surprise and I still can’t quite believe it.

“Volunteering for Girlguiding Scotland is such a rewarding experience and it’s been wonderful to work with so many girls and young women over the years and see the difference guiding makes to their lives.

“Guiding give girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, try new experiences, develop skills and, most of all, have fun.

“Volunteering with Girlguiding Scotland helped me to develop all sorts of skills – in particular, working in a team to achieve something amazing.”

Joyce Petrie, County Commissioner for Girlguiding in Gordon, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Heather for the amazing contribution she has made to guiding over the years.

“She has endless energy and enthusiasm and is committed to helping each girl to find her voice by being positive, helpful and supportive and by encouraging the volunteers to challenge themselves.”